Schools to Reopen in Ekiti State August 3 – The Source Magazine

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July 15, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

Apparently shunning an advisory from the Minister for Education, Adamu Adamu, the Ekiti state Government has asked both the public and private schools in the state to reopen on the 3rd of August, 2020.

Those involved are pupils and students in graduating classes, but conditions are attached.

The decision to allow pupils return to classrooms was taken after a virtual meeting of Commissioners for education in the South West region.

The State Commissioner for Education, Mr Foluso Daramola, disclosed in Ado Ekiti that Commissioners for Education in the South- West, after the virtual meeting, agreed to plan for schools resumption.

According to him, pupils in Primary six and students in JSS three as well as those in Senior Secondary School three are to resume on the 3rd of August to enable them prepare for their final examinations.

The Commissioner advised parents and guardians to provide three face masks for their children and wards while government would make available all protective materials needed to fight covid- 19 in the public schools.

Mr Daramola stated that any private school with two gates must close one to control movement in and out of the school, while authorities of private primary and secondary schools should make available all materials required to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

He said that government would not allow the use of school buses by private schools to convey students to, and from their various schools.

He, also, said the steps were part of the Government’s effort to check the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The Federal Ministry for Education had advised against the re-opening of schools, saying that Federal owner schools will not be allowed to open. Adamu said it was better for them to lose one school calendar than to contract Coronavirus.

The FG had, initially, said that those in terminal classes would be allowed to resume, but went back on its words, as the number of COVID-19 Victims rose astronomically.

Osinbajo Calls For Legal Protection Of Public office Holders From Malicious Publications – The Source Magazine

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July 15, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

Piqued by the recent allegation against him and his family for corrupt enrichment by some people, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for the review of the country’s legal system to protect government officials against those who make wild allegations against them.

Osinbajo was recently, alleged to have received the sum of N4 billion from the embattled suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

Magu is currently under investigation by a Presidential Panel which has remanded him in Police custody since he appeared before them on July 6.

It was also alleged that Osinbajo’s daughter bought a mansion in Abuja.

However, both allegations have been refuted by Osinbajo, Magu and the landlord of the said property occupied by the VP’s daughter.

In a speech, Tuesday, Osinbajo lamented that in recent times there has been a serious increase in allegations against persons perceived to be fighting corruption by paid agents.

According to him, such paid agents usually avail themselves of the social media to peddle lies because they know that the wheel of the Nation’s judicial system grind slowly, and the possibility that those who are maligned may not be willing to pursue litigation.

“The thing that we must take note of is that corruption fights back. And it is fighting back and it has the resources to do so. In recent times, we are seeing more frequently the use of unscrupulous individuals who are paid to use social media platforms to make outrageous allegations against persons perceived to be fighting corruption.

“The technique is not new, the idea is to tar everybody with the same tar so that you cannot recognize the truly corrupt or the truly corrupt activity and genuine whistle-blowing is discredited as a result.

“And because our court system is slow, they count on the possibility that these victims may not pursue litigation or prosecution: you must devise a new legal strategy to ensure that this dirty trick not only fails but is penalized.”

According to him, whistleblowers must be protected and the the veil over secret ownership of companies removed as it encourages people to use it to commit a crime and perpetuate corruption.

“For us in the developing world, and especially in Africa, breaking the wall of secret corporate ownership is crucial because secrecy around corporate ownership is implicated in our underdevelopment.

“Although anonymous companies are not always illegal, nevertheless, secrecy provides a convenient cover for criminality and corruption.

“Our experience in Nigeria as in other developing countries is that anonymous corporate ownership covers a multitude of sins including conflict of interests, corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, and even terrorism financing.

“Secondly, we must protect, even more, whistle-blowers – persons who come forward with information against corruption. We must protect those who are ready to fight against corruption and who are prepared to do so without necessarily disclosing their identities and even those who are ready to disclose their identities.“

It could not be confirmed if the Vice President thinks that the investigation of Magu, over allegations raised against him by the Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister for Justice falls into the category of corruption fighting back.

I am Neither For, Nor Against Akeredolu In Ondo Gov Poll – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – The Source Magazine

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July 15, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

An influential Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said that his interest in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state is basically to ensure that the APC wins the poll.

In an online statement in Akure on Wednesday, the former Lagos State two- time governor declared that he has not endorsed any aspirant for the Governorship election.

According to him, he is not going to use his influence to tamper with the outcome of the primary, scheduled to hold on July 20, insisting that he had no preferred aspirant.

The statement titled “Re: Ondo Guber Poll May Lead to Crisis in South-West APC,” Tinubu made it clear that he is not opposed to the re-election bid of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

He pointed out that all he desires is a free, fair and credible primary that is run according to the dictates of internal democracy and devoid of bias for, or against any candidate.

“In the matter of Ondo governorship race, Asiwaju Tinubu has stated his impartiality. As a leader of the party, he has no favoured or disfavoured candidate in the race. Neither is he trying to influence matters behind the scene in any regard.

“His hope is that all credible and strong party members who seek the nomination will be able to face each other in a fair contest. Let them compete for the party’s banner openly and without imbalance or slant in the contest”.

During Governor Akeredolu’s first shot at the Governorship, he was fully backed by Tinubu. But, he was defeated by Dr Olusegun Mimiko. In his second attempt, Tinubu backed another candidate, Segun Abraham. Suffering was, allegedly, backed by Minister for Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Akeredolu not only won the Primary, but won the election, defeating others.

He is seeking a tough re-election for a second term in office.

Why NIMASA Executive Director, Agaba, Was Jailed

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July 15, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Captain Ezekiel Agaba, a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA will, from Wednesday night, spend the first night of a seven- year jail term slammed on him in a Correctional Centre in Lagos today.

In the case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Agaba was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, with no option of fine, by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

He was nailed for a N1.5bn fraud case.

The Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba, who sentenced him, said that the EFCC had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Captain Agaba was arraigned with a former Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpolobokemi and two others in December, 2015.

They were alleged to have used two firms to spirit away the sum of N2.6bn, which was meant for the implementation of International Ship and Port Security Code at NIMASA.

The ISPS Code was to enable NIMASA carry out security checks on vessels entering the nation’s waters.

Akpobolokemi was discharged by an Appeal court, while the EFCC withdrew the case against the other two, leaving Agaba to carry the bucket alone.

It is not known if he would appeal the judgement. But a source close to him told the magazine that he “definitely would”.

Update: How A Classmate Killed Nigeria’s First Female Combat Pilot; Outrage Greets Her Death

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July 15, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

It has been confirmed that Nigeria’s First Female Combat Pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, whose death, on Wednesday, broke the hearts of outraged Nigerians was, accidentally, killed by his classmate.

In a second official statement since her death was made public, a devastated Nigeria Airforce, HAD, said the 24 year old was, accidentally, hit by a car, driven by an unnamed former classmate of hers in the NAF Secondary School.

The unnamed classmate, excited at seeing her, stopped to greet her.

Unfortunately, said the release issued by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the classmate hit her while reversing the car. Mowed down, she hit her head on the tarmac. She died of head injuries in the hospital she was rushed to.

The statement reads in part: “Flying Officer Aritole died on July 14, 2020, at the age of 24, when she was, inadvertently, hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Airforce Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her.

“Before her untimely death, Flying Officer Aritole made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry, and other forms of criminality in the country, flying several combat missions.”

The accident happened at the NAF Base, Kaduna.

She was said to have joined NAF out of passion for the job.

She hailed from Ijumu LGA of Kogi state, but her parents live in Kaduna, where she was, also, brought up.

Meanwhile, her death has been greeted with disbelief and outrage by Nigerians who are asking for answers, and insisting on a thorough investigation into her death.

More details, later…

Edo: Intrigues that May Undo Ize-Iyamu Afoot

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July 15, 2020

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By Ebere Levi

Multiple party sources inform The Source Magazine that vested interests within the All Progressives Congress, APC have shifted their battle for the control of the party to Edo, and are now using the September 19 gubernatorial election in the state as a dress rehearsal for the titanic battle for the party’s soul ahead the 2023 election.

“We Will Ensure Edo is Out of Their Reach”

A faction of the party opposed to the National Leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the deposed National Chairman, Adam Oshiohmole, this magazine has been told, is bent on denying the pro-Tinubu/ Oshiohmole faction a foothold in Edo.

A party insider quoted a very senior party chieftain, and one of the prime movers of the anti- Tinubu / Oshiohmole faction, as vowing thus: “Tinubu and his allies, including our former National Chairman, remain members of our great party, but their plot to annex the party and pocket it has been effectively check- mated.Therefore, we will ensure that Edo is out of their reach, even if it means cutting our nose to spite our face, so be it”

A Gathering Storm

A credible party source informs that the anti- Tinubu/ Oshiohmole faction is working from within to ensure that the APC candidate for the Edo election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is defeated by governor Godwin Obaseki who is now a PDP governor, having defected to the party last month, following his disqualification from the APC guber primary by the now sacked Oshiohmole-led National Working Committee, NWC of the party.

“What is currently playing out in APC as regards the Edo governorship election is “APC against APC”, our source revealed.

Adams Oshiomhole — **Oshiohmole: His traducers are bent on finishing him off**

Continuing, he further informs: “The internal APC forces against Oshiohmole and Tinubu are also by extension against the victory of Ize Iyamu.Therefore, they won’t mind Obaseki’s victory in order to thwart Tinubu/ Oshiohmole ascendancy”

“Ize-Iyamu’s Victory is Tinubu/Oshiohmole”

Some elements within the APC who fought to dethrone Oshiomhole are emphatic that he was sacked as National Chairman to prevent him from handing over the party’s structure to Tinubu. They allege that before he was sacked, Oshiohmole was working towards handing the 2023 APC presidential ticket to the former Lagos state governor.

A party chieftain told The Source: “Having succeeded in stopping Oshiohmole on his track, it will be bad politics to support anything or anybody capable of giving him a lifeline, politically.

“It’s a common knowledge that Ize-Iyamu is his candidate, his victory, therefore, means Oshiohmole’s victory. It will also be Tinubu’s victory. Edo in the kitty of the Tinubu/Oshiohmole alliance could alter the 2023 calculations as regards our party’s Presidential ticket, and we won’t allow this happen. And we will be ready to sacrifice Edo to stop it”

Some National Assembly Members, Governors, others won’t Campaign for Ize-Iyamu

Competent sources close to the national leadership of the party confided in the magazine that as a result of the wide crack in the APC’s wall, some party stalwarts listed as members of the APC campaign council for Edo have distanced themselves from the Ize-Iyamu campaign.

Godwin Obaseki: Will he benefit from internal APC feud

Said one of the sources: “Though the governor Mai Mala Buni led National Caretaker leadership of APC has inaugurated Edo Governorship Campaign Council, I can tell you for free that many of those listed as members including National Assembly members, Governors and party senior chieftains who are not in the Tinubu/Oshiohmole faction, have since distanced themselves from the Ize-Iyamu campaign.

“They are neither openly, nor discreetly supporting the APC guber candidate financially and morally”

Anti- Ize-Iyamu Court Case Looms

This Magazine learnt that as part of the bid to scuttle Ize-Iyamu’s chances, and by extension hurt the Tinubu/Oshiohmole faction, a faction of the party in Edo still loyal to Governor Obaseki is being positioned to obtain a restraining order from a High court, a day to the election, stopping the APC candidate from contesting in the election on the ground that the Edo APC faction that granted him waiver was not illegally constituted at the time it gave him the waiver.

Ize-Iyamu, a founding APC member, defected to the People’s Democratic party, PDP, in 2016 under which platform he contested that year’s Edo Governorship election.He however, returned to the APC few months ago to contest the September 19 election.

The Broom is Still Closely knitted, Solidly Behind Ize-Iyamu

Meanwhile, a member of the National Caretaker Committee of the APC has pooh-poohed insinuations of internal insurrection against the party governorship candidate for Edo, Ize- Iyamu, insisting that every single APC member is solidly behind him.

“Like every big political party, there are minor family disagreements in the APC but that is not to suggest that internal insurrection is in the offing, especially, as it concerns the Edo election.

I can assure you that the broom is still a formidable bunch, still closely knit, and solidly behind its candidate in Edo. Every single APC member is solidly behind Ize-Iyamu”, he told The Source.

WAEC: Afe Babalola Says Cancellation May Trigger Criminality, Social Vices

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July 15, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Legal luminary, and founder, Afe Babalola, SAN, University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has expressed fear that the cancellation of this year’s West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, may promote criminality.

He described the decision as not only ill-conceived, but posed a dangerous threat to the lives of the country’s future leaders, adding that the destinies of 1.5 million students, who registered for the external examination was hanging in the balance, with the withdrawal of Nigeria from the external examination.

He said it was wrong for the Federal Government to have taken such unilateral decision due to the fear of Covid-19, when other participating nations have not withdrawn their students from sitting for the external examination.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu had, last week, announced the Federal government’s intention to withdraw Nigeria’s candidates from the examination due to the hazard posed by the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement he, personally, signed in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, and made available to journalists, the legal icon said the federal government should allow the WASSCE to hold in the empty spaces in the tertiary institutions which can accommodate 1.5 million registered students without defying Covid-19 protocols.

Speaking on the withdrawal, which he said was not well thought -out, Babalola said: “It is my firm belief that the future of these 1.5 million young Nigerians who have registered for WAEC should not be put in jeopardy. It is a well-known fact that all schools, colleges and tertiary institutions in the country are currently shut down.

“This affords the Federal Government the opportunity to use them for WAEC examination. What the government should do is to prepare the empty rooms for WAEC examination – fumigate the halls and the premises, use face mask, provide sanitizers and ensure that WHO rules are obeyed to the letter.

“WAEC Law provides for a National Committee of WAEC in all the five countries. With that at the back of our minds, one would have expected that this matter should have been taken up by the National Committee of WAEC in Nigeria and the general body in Ghana before the declaration to withdrawal Nigeria from taking the examination”

He wondered why the government had taken such hasty decision, when other four countries under the WAEC umbrella have not cancelled the WASSCE in their respective countries.

“Are the other four countries not affected by Covid-19? What steps have the other countries taken which would enable them to take WEAC examination which we cannot take? Why is Nigeria the only country out of five that is pulling out of the annual examination? Are we saying that other four countries do not appreciate the lives of their students?

“Why was the issue not turned over to the Nigeria body of WAEC or the general body of WAEC in Accra before the declaration of withdrawal to Nigeria? Did the Hon. Minister take into consideration the moral and legal implication of Nigeria as a signatory to WAEC laws or the effect of such unilateral declaration of withdrawal?”

He said what was required to take the examination is proper management, consultation and discussion instead of unilateral cancellation of annual international convention.

“If the Federal Government insists that there would be no WASSCE this year, the students are not just losing one calendar year but losing an integral part of their entire lives which is gone forever by such declaration. We should always remember that after all, time is life and life is time.

“The Federal Government should allow the WASSCE to take place in the empty spaces which are wasting away in our tertiary institutions, secondary schools and elementary school which can conveniently accommodate them with a lot of social distancing and due compliance with WHO rules”, he concluded.

Covid-19: Pastor Okotie Condemns Online Churches; Says Services Unscriptural; Controversy Trails Him

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July 15, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Presidential Candidate of Fresh Party in 2007, 2011 and 2015, who is, also, General Overseer of Household of God Church International Ministries, Chris Okotie, has once again stirred the hornet’s nest with his Controversial statements that conducting services online is not scriptural.

Since the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak, most Churches all over the world, adopted online services, in a bid to abide by the social distancing guidelines.

But, Okotie, in a message he titled ‘The COVID-19 Mystery,’ said that God is not interested in computers and prefers an assembly of Christians.

He made reference to the Bible verse talking about not forsaking the assembly of the Saints.

Okotie said: “God knows where you are; if He was not interested in the assembly, you don’t need to come to Church; you can pray in your house.

“I pray in my house. You pray in your house. I praise in my house. He can see all of us. He doesn’t need computers.

According to him, forsaking the assembly of his people denies God of who he is.

“Conducting services online denies God of who He is; so, we must not forsake the assembly of yourselves together, that’s why the bible puts that verse as an imperative,” Okotie added.

The comments of Okotie has, however, led to criticism and counter criticism from different quarters.

The Social Media have been awash with some users lambasting the Pastor as a failed Politician, who derived pleasure in deceiving people with fake prophesies.

“Pastor Okotie is just looking for relevance. He had deceived himself and his followers all through the time he aspired for Presidency, lying that God said he should vie. He has lost it”.

Another said that Pastor Okotie is trying to come out from obscurity to gain relevance having been in Siberia all this while.

“He is just waking up from his slumber? All these Pastors, atimes, just want to be heard”.

Supporting Okotie, a social media user said Okotie has a right to his opinion and he believes he has a point having backed it up with some Bible quotes, but it is left to anyone to decide which way to go.

It would be recalled that Okotie accused the owner of Microsoft, Bill Gates, of leading a conspiracy to destabilize the global economy and carry out a “satanic agenda” against the Church.

Edo 2020: Nollywood Actress, Mabel Oboh, Emerges ADC Governorship Candidate, Battles Gov. Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu

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July 15, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Film Industry, Nollywood, has seen one of its own in the race for the Edo State seat of Power. She is gearing up to unseat incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has announced Nollywood actress and veteran broadcaster, Princess Mabel Oboh, as its candidate for the Edo State gubernatorial elections scheduled for September 19, 2020.

This is coming after the withdrawal of Dr. Benjamin Akhigbe, who was the initial Candidate of the Party for the Governorship Race.

In a statement signed by the ADC’s National Coordinator, Electoral Matters & INEC Liaison Officer, High Chief Anayo Arinze, the party said Oboh was chosen following her endorsement by the youths, women, prominent professionals and leaders of thought in Edo State.

“The choice of Princess Mabel Oboh gained approval of party leaders because of her pedigree as a creative artiste and ADC’s resolve to promote women, which is in accordance with our constitution. Given the tough nature of the governorship race in Edo State, ADC wants to prosecute the election with a household name in the movie, music and hospitality industry for easy identification and name recognition,” he stated.

Arinze added: “The choice of Princess Mabel Oboh by ADC is informed by the party’s determination to liberate Edo women, youths and entire populace through the forthcoming governorship election in the state. Dr. Reuben A. Edokpayi is her running mate for the governorship election.”

ADC effected the change of candidate on July 13, which was the last day set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties.

Calling on the people of Edo State to rally round Oboh and Edokpayi, the party urged them to vote ADC to power in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, ADC will unveil its governorship campaign council for Edo 2020 in the next few days. This, the party said, will compose of 60 per cent women among others.

Sexual Harassment: Akpabio Briefs Legal Team; Denies Allegations By Ex-NDDC MD, Nunieh

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July 15, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabiot has denied the sexual harrassment allegation, and other allegations made against him by the former Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Barr Joy Nuneih.

In a statement by on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Anietie Ekong, s the Minister dismissed the allegations as false, malicious, and libellous. He said that the press interviews granted by her and carried by some news and social media platforms and a series of concerted vicious were concocted to tarnish his image. They were deviously orchestrated by her against him, Akpabio lamented.

He has already briefed his legal team but, had to issue a press statement for record purposes, he noted.

The statement reads:

“To start with, let it be known that there is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Ms. Nunieh. They are simply false!

“I did not, at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put myself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of the Ministry or the NDDC.

“For the records, the Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON is happily married and contented with his wife. Together they are blessed with children, four (4) of whom are young women. The Honourable Minister is an avid believer of the Affirmative Action and that was visible in the appointments he made as a two (2) term Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015. Under his watch, he appointed several women into various high level positions as

Chairpersons of Local Government Councils, Magistrates, Judges, Heads of Parastatals, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and Commissioners.

“He is the first Governor in Akwa Ibom State to have a female Deputy Governor, was also the first to appoint female Chief Judges of the High Court, recommended women for ministerial appointments, one of whom was the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and supported for appointment the first female Vice Chancellor of the only Federal University in the State etc.

“He has always championed, and still champions the cause of women and young children.

“Whilst the Governor of Akwa-lbom State, the Honourable Minister summoned the political will and effrontery to stop modern day slavery in his state, where young women and children were ferried away from the State to other states in Nigeria to be used for all sorts of menial chores as house maids and most suffered unimaginable unethical trade malpractices and maltreatments. He ensured that anyone caught in that trade was severely punished. He signed the Child Rights Law to protect children, especially the girl child from stigmatization and punishment by ordeal where some were executed or banished on allegation of witchcraft.

“The Child Rights Law also made primary and secondary education in Akwa Ibom State free and compulsory; educating the girl child was his topmost priority.

“The Honourable Minister has never tfden his admiration and respect for his wife, Mrs. Ekaete Akpabio, Chi,dren and sisters, he therefore felt compelled to react to the malicious attack on his person by Ms. Nunieh bothering on allegations of sexual harassment.

The Honourable Minister, therefore, finds the said allegation nauseating and a very cheap blackmail, for Ms. Nunieh to suggest, or insinuate that he sexually harassed her, while she was the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC.

“The Honourable Minister also finds it appalling that, Ms. Nunieh, never deemed it fit to report the alleged incident to the police at the earliest opportunity she had, before, during or after her tenor as the Acting Managing Director on 17th February, 2020, if indeed the allegation was true.

“Waiting till July 10th and 13th 2020 when the National Assembly appears to be probing some of her actions as the Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee (“IMC”) exposes her motive, especially at a time when the momentum for the Forensic Audit

Investigation of the NDDC is heating up and the truth is about to be unveiled for all to see? The critical question is who is afraid of the Forensic Audit at the NDDC? Who is Afraid of the Truth?

“There is no doubt that Ms. Nunieh’s attacks are both personal and sponsored. Those afraid of the truth, and who wish to bury it from seeing the light of the day, are strenuously behind Ms. Nunieh’s vicious campaign of calumny.

“The Honourable Minister has a mandate from Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to unearth alleged looting and financial misappropriation that had gone on at the NDDC since its inception in 2001.

“He is committed to that mandate through the forensic audit of the NDDC and will not be deterred or distracted from that goal.

“The aim of this campaign of calumny is simply to get Senator Akpabio out, kill the forensic audit, and continue business as usual at the NDDC.

The allegations of the Honourable Minister’s involvement in contract racketeering, bombing of oil pipelines, corruption/diversion of funds, the Honourable Minister has stated several times and at various fora that since his assumption of office, he has only awarded three contracts till date- the appointment of the lead forensic auditors which was approved by the Federal Executive Council the emergency procurement contract for COVID-19 intervention in the Niger Delta Area, which, due to its urgency had his interim approval and Presidential approval in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and the award of Vehicles procurement duly approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council but yet to be consummated. It is noteworthy, that all these contracts went through due processes.

“On her allegation that the Honourable Minister directed her to change the Dollars in the NDDC’s Account; for the records, it should be noted that NDDC’s Account is domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Every inflow and outflow is known and traceable. NDDC gets its revenue in Dollars which is paid directly to its Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Dollar is then converted to Naira by the CBN and paid into the NDDC Naira Account still domiciled with the CBN upon a written application from the NDDC.

“It is, therefore, impossible for any sum of money belonging to the NDDC with the CBN including the several figures bandied around as missing to be missing.

“It is important to state, that unlike in the past where the NDDC had over three hundred (300) bank accounts in different commercial banks, that practice had since changed under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which gave full effect to the application of the Treasury Single Account and the NDDC now has its accounts with the CBN.

“The Honourable Minister does not give verbal instructions to anybody, all instructions are in writing and in response to a request from the Commission.

“On the allegation that the Honourable Minister directed Ms. Nunieh to remove Mr. Kaltungo, same is false. His track record marks him out as a totally detribalized politician and one of the best friends of Northern Nigeria. The Honourable Minister was informed by the NDDC management that over twenty three (23) top Management Staff, from various part of Nigeria including the Niger Delta region, who have evaded leave in the last ten (10) years or had the tendency to influence negatively the ongoing forensic audit were recommended for mandatory leave by the lead forensic auditors. They are still staff of the Commission currently receiving their monthly salaries and benefits.

“The Honourable Minister has taken stéps to instruct his lawyers to seek necessary redress in a Court of competent Jurisdiction on his behalf over the defamatory statements made by Ms. Nunieh.

“On a final note, while encouraging all Nigerians to hold their leaders to account, he urges them to take their time to sift between the chaff and the substance before embarking on far reaching allegations, opinions and views”, the statement stated.